Jordan Clarkson, like all of Lakers Nation, was pleased to see Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma and Brandon Ingram chosen to represent the Los Angeles Lakers on the U.S. Team in the Rising Stars Challenge during NBA All-Star Weekend.

Then again, if Ball’s going to rack up stats in the Rising Stars Challenge, he’d probably do so by notching assists on baskets scored by his Purple-and-Gold compatriots. The last time Lonzo played in an all-star-style scrimmage, he tallied 13 assists without so much as attempting a shot in the 2016 McDonald’s All-American Game.

Perhaps, then, Clarkson wasn’t dissing Ball here so much as tacitly acknowledging his strengths. Even if this was intended as a slight, it’s understandable coming from JC’s perspective, since he’s already been wedged out of a starting job and may well wind up a casualty of L.A.’s effort to rebuild around the rookie out of UCLA.